How To Replace Bass Pickups

If you are a musician, you know for a fact that continuity in the search for an improved sound is always a must. Never settling for an average sound and always finding that little something that can add more clarity and crispness to the instrument that you are playing are the things of great importance. Now, if you play the bass guitar, one way that you can improve your sound is by replacing the pickups. Here is a step-by-step instruction on how you can replace your bass pickups without breaking much of a sweat.

Things you will need. There are only a few things you will need in order to complete this task. One, you will need a new pickup. Purchase one that you want from your local music instrument store. Make sure that you research first or ask a sales representative if the pickup that you want is compatible with the make and model of your bass guitar. You will also need a soldering gun and finally, a screwdriver. If you have all of these items already, you may proceed with the next step.

Preparation. The first thing that you will need to do is to remove the strings from the headstock of your bass guitar. If you are not familiar with the term, this is the smaller end of the guitar where knobs are placed that turn in order to tune the strings. Loosen each knob in order to remove the strings. Set the strings aside according to number to avoid confusion when you reattach them.

How to do it. Begin by removing the pick guard (the plastic covering of the guitar, under the strings and the pickup) using a screwdriver. You won’t have a hard time in doing this since this is in front of the guitar and it has screws that can easily be removed. You will now be able to access the wiring and electronics of your bass guitar. The next step in this task is for you to remove the electrical wiring that is connected to the pickups. Do this by using your soldering iron to melt the connection. Follow this by detaching the pickups from the guitar using your screwdriver. Next, you will have to remove the protective covering on the tip of the wiring of your new pickups. You will now need to solder the wiring in the body of your guitar, making sure that you place each in its proper position. Finish the task by screwing the new pickups in their place and replacing the pick guard back by screwing it as well.

In addition, when you restring your bass guitar, check for any buzzing sound from the bass amp once you have plugged it in. A sound like this means that you have made a faulty connection or the wiring is shot. You will need to check the wiring by redoing everything as you might need to re-solder the wiring once again. A task like this is quite easy to do, even with little to no experience in soldering or equipment maintenance. Just remember to follow the simple steps you have just read and you’re good to go! Good luck!